Crystal Palace vs Brighton Preview

• Draw
• Both teams to score

It’s time for one of the Premier League’s most underrated rivalries as Crystal Palace and Brighton clash once again at Selhurst Park, with both sides eager to bounce back from disappointing midweek performances.

Palace needed a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point against Southampton, while Brighton were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa, putting a dent in their European ambitions.

This fixture has a reputation for being tightly contested, and history may repeat itself — especially given a remarkable recent pattern that continues to define this rivalry.

Crystal Palace: Confidence Tested but Not Broken

Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at bottom-club Southampton was a setback for Oliver Glasner’s men, particularly as it ended a five-match winning streak across all competitions.

However, Palace showed resilience by avoiding defeat with a late goal, and they will need that fighting spirit again here.

Remarkably, each of the last five Premier League meetings between these sides at Selhurst Park has ended 1-1, and another such result would be a record in English top-flight history for consecutive 1-1 scorelines in a specific fixture.

Palace’s 3-1 win in the reverse fixture back in December has opened the door to a first-ever top-flight league double over Brighton, and a first in any league since 1932/33.

That bit of extra historical motivation could be crucial in front of a home crowd eager to see their side get one over their fiercest rivals.

Brighton: Needing a Response After a Tough Week

Brighton returned from the international break with back-to-back disappointments: a penalty shootout FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest, followed by a comprehensive 3-0 league loss to Aston Villa. Those results have stalled momentum and further weakened their push for a top-four finish.

There is reason to be optimistic, however. Brighton have won five of their seven away games in all competitions in 2025 (D1, L1), putting them within reach of matching their total of six away wins from the whole of 2024.

That said, their record in the capital is poor — no wins in their last 11 Premier League matches in London (D5, L6). It’s their worst such run since the 1930s, and Selhurst Park has been a particularly frustrating venue for them in recent years.

Still, Fabian Hürzeler’s side are unbeaten on the road against teams starting the round in the bottom half (W4, D2), and that record might give them hope of breaking the trend on this visit to South London.

Head-to-Head & Match Stats

• Each of the last five Premier League meetings at Selhurst Park have ended 1-1
• Crystal Palace won the reverse fixture 3-1 in December
• Palace are chasing their first league double over Brighton since 1932/33
• Brighton have not won a Premier League game in London in their last 11 visits (D5, L6)
• Brighton have five away wins across all competitions in 2025 (D1, L1)
• Palace have lost just one of their last six home league games (W4, D1)

Players to Watch

Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace)

The winger is hitting form at the right time, scoring three times in Palace’s last two home games. He also had a direct hand in all three goals in the reverse fixture against Brighton (2 goals, 1 assist), and his pace and direct play could once again be key.

Carlos Baleba (Brighton)

Baleba has scored twice in London this season, and only two Brighton players have ever scored three or more goals in the capital in a single Premier League campaign.

He offers dynamism from midfield and may be vital in helping the Seagulls control possession and tempo.

Prediction: Rivalry to Continue in Familiar Fashion

Given the recent history of this fixture and the current form of both sides, another closely-fought draw would not be a surprise.

Brighton have looked flat since the restart, while Palace’s momentum took a hit against Southampton. That said, both teams still have enough quality to find the net.

With five consecutive 1-1 draws at Selhurst Park between these two sides, a sixth might just be in the cards.

Predicted Score: Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton

History repeats itself in South London as both teams share the spoils once more in this tightly contested rivalry.

Для получения дополнительной информации об этой игре вы также можете посетить сайт:
Crystal Palace v Brighton, 2024/25 | Premier League